Despite substantially high tourism numbers in the past year, Guam economists maintain a conservative projection – for the most part flat, if not modest.

Economists suggest the island’s growth may continue to be tied to the yen economy, which continued to take a tumble before the end of last year. The yen weakened to a five-year low against the dollar in December.

"As the yen continues to depreciate vis-Ã -vis the dollar, we look more and more expensive from the Japanese perspective, and that is likely to offset most (if not all) of the gains from other visitor...

KOROR, Palau (Island Times, Jan. 3, 2014) – The Office of the Attorney General on Monday disclosed that charges have been filed against ATT Karaoke Bar and Disco Owner Mary Grace Baconga, local sponsors Jeryl Blas and Haruo Esang and Peleliu Gov. Temmy Shmull on December 20 pursuant to a lengthy investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division.

According to the AG’s Office, Ms. Baconga and Ms. Blas have been charged with the following crimes: people trafficking, profiting from prostitution (no coercion), profiting from prostitution (coercion), exploiting a trafficked person, advancing prostitution (coercion), advancing prostitution (no coercion), money laundering, unlawful wage obligation, unlawful employee restrictions, unlawful work schedule, and violation of the requirement of obtaining a foreign investment approval certificate.

Yesterday, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) confirmed that all their security forces members were continuing with their mission.

And there are no current plans to evacuate Fijian soldiers and police officers there despite violence and civil unrest in the world’s newest nation.

"Work is normal for our members of the security forces and they are continuing with their mission," Land Force Commander Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga said.

However, he said, all civilian staff of the United Nations had been evacuated to Uganda. The Fijian contingents are part of a major United Nations effort to help the development of an independent South Sudan after decades of civil war and conflict in the region.

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, Jan. 5, 2014) – The government agency responsible for coordinating disaster risk management programmes has issued a warning to all members of the public.

The warning from the Disaster Management Office (DMO) comes as the Samoa Meteorological Service predicts more rain, flooding and landslides over the coming days.

"Please do not allow children to play in the floodwaters," Filomena Nelson says. "They can be mixed up with all sorts of contaminants and debris. Also, please avoid the storm drains – we don’t want any more deaths."

Ms. Nelson is the Principal Management Disaster Officer for the Disaster Management Office.

During an interview with the Sunday Samoan yesterday, Ms. Nelson urged members of the public to take extra care.

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, Jan. 6, 2014) – The Cook Islands is aiming to be the first place in the world to become free of the myna bird after it was introduced to the country to help control insect pests.

Early last century, the myna was introduced to Atiu Island in the Cook Islands as a way of controlling insects and other pests in crops and gardens.

But within a few short years, its aggressive behaviour destroyed local bird populations.

In 2000, the myna was declared to be amongst the world's 100 worst invasive species.

The people of Atiu have gone a step further, declaring a war on the myna, calling themselves the 'myanators'.

Alan Lieberman, a research fellow at the San Diego Zoo Global Institute for Conservation Research has told Pacific Beat the myanators have been persistent in the efforts to limit the myna population.

HAGÃ TÃA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, Jan. 6, 2014) – While the rest of the island was sound asleep late Saturday night, families and friends of 280 soldiers waited anxiously to welcome home the first wave of 1-294th Infantry Regiment soldiers from their Afghanistan deployment.

The soldiers were among the 600 sent in March 2013 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, representing the island's largest deployment of troops.

Gathering at the Guam International Airport Authority with signs in their hands and smiles on their faces, thousands watched the night sky for the twinkle of an airplane's lights as they looked forward to reuniting with their heroes in combat boots.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Jan. 6, 2014) – Papua New Guinea's Bougainville Islanders are warning the Government that they will defy an extended ban on harvesting beche-de-mer.

In a letter to the National Fisheries Minister, Tauhu Pais of Tasman Island, who represents the province's atolls says his communities have not been provided with any alternative arrangements to sustain their livelihoods.

The 2010 ban on beche-de-mer collection was recently extended to 2017 to allow stocks to recover.

The Post Courier reports that the former provincial politician says the atoll communities have complied with the ban until now but have faced severe hardships as a result, including food shortages.

Mr Pais says the communities, except for the Cartarets, intend to harvest the marine species, starting this month for six months.

Pacific Islands Report is a nonprofit news publication of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Offered as a free service to readers, PIR provides an edited digest of news, commentary and analysis from across the Pacific Islands region, Monday - Friday.